Drogba: I'd love to boss Chelsea... but finishing outside top four would be a nightmare

Didier Drogba believes it would be disastrous for Chelsea if they failed to reach the Champions League this season.

Since the Ivorian arrived at Chelsea the club have won three Premier League titles and only once finished outside the top two - coming third.

But this season they have a battle on their hands to even finish in the top four, leaving Drogba worried.

Rollercoaster: Both Chelsea and Didier Drogba have endured mixed seasons

'If we don’t make the top four it would be a disaster,' he told The Sun.

'Every time we’ve started a season since I’ve been with Chelsea we never even finished as low as fourth.

'We have to make the top four because Chelsea is a big club. Of course it can happen that the club goes below fourth.

'When I joined Chelsea the club was second and I helped them to be first. It is the hardest season I’ve known since I’ve been here. The players and fans are used to being in the first two or three but this is different.

'We are having a difficult season and it’s not always easy when you change manager and there are new players to fit in the team. I know that because I’ve had six managers in my time at Chelsea.

'For me the manager’s age is not an issue, you have to respect his position and his authority.'

He added: 'It’s hard for everyone at the moment, for the players and for the manager.

No matter: Drogba says Andre Villas-Boas' age is not an issue

'I think he’s a big man and he’s also learning. There’s no age where you can say you don’t learn any more.

'Even Ferguson is still learning with his team — that’s how you become better. He’s learning and he will be better year after year.'

But Drogba, 33, still has eyes on 34-year-old Andre Villas-Boas' job one day.

He said: 'It would be interesting to be Chelsea manager.

'I love this club and I always want to help the people I love, so why not.

'If I was a manager I would give a lot to my players. You have to show them you care and that they are the best and they will pay you back.'

Current boss Villas-Boas has been under-pressure from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has regularly visited the club's Cobham training ground of late.

Defeat: Drogba's side lost in the Africa Cup of Nations final

Drogba said: 'He’s not a man you see every day at training so when he is there everyone is a bit surprised.

'But they shouldn’t be because this is his building, his place, his club so if he wants to come he can do that.

'He’s a good owner and what he has done for the club is very important. He always puts the players in the best condition to play and is always trying to improve the club. This is him.'

Drogba returns to Chelsea after a disappointing end to the Africa Cup of Nations, where his Ivory Coast side were defeated by unfavoured Zambia on penalties in the final.

But he is not focussing on that defeat and instead has his head back on the game for the Blues.

'Now there’s no time to rest. We are still in the FA Cup and Champions League which are big, big trophies,' he said.

'I’ve missed my team. We did everything together and won together before, so when we are in a difficult moment we have to be together.'